When the kids were growing up, I think they thought the worst thing about me being a mom is that I would laugh at them. They would say something that they thought was serious and intense and I would laugh. I thought it was funny, but they don't want to be laughed at.

I've heard a lot of editors and agents say, "If the book is good, it will get published." I totally disagree with that.

I don't make fun of my characters. I just like to laugh and I think people are funny and the world is funny.

The "we" voice is rare, and the communal impulse of the "we" is interesting to me.

There are so many people who write really interesting work and try super hard and still don't get published.

My natural tendency is to fall in love with language and character and setting, and kind of forget about pacing. Narrative tension doesn't come naturally to me, and if it does feel fast-paced that makes me incredibly happy.

I've always been a teaser, even as a kid.